Reporter’s Notebook: House leadership up for grabs as GOP reckons with devastating losses

By Fox News · Fox News

Internal House and Senate party leadership elections are some of the most fascinating exercises to unfold on Capitol Hill. Both House and Senate Democrats and House and Senate Republicans will choose their leaders in the coming days. And the changes are going to be seismic. But not everyone is on board with heir apparent leaders. That’s what makes this process so intriguing. However, there are only two rules in leadership elections: You can’t beat someone with no one. And — perhaps more importantly — it’s about the math. Republicans are up first with elections in both chambers starting Tuesday morning. THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ON CAPITOL HILL For Minority Leader, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise , R-La., is running against Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Current House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is not seeking to stay in leadership once his party isn't in charge anymore. If Democrats have 260 seats, Republicans would have 175. All incoming House Republicans (including non-voting delegates from U.S. territories) are allowed to vote in conference. The selection of Minority Leader does NOT go before the entire House like Speaker. So, the winning candidate only needs a simple majority. That would be 88. The same for the race between House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, for Minority Whip. Senate Republican leader John Thune, R-S.D., is running to keep his leadership position for the party in the new Congress. Meanwhile, Democrats will begin elections for their House leader on Wednesday where Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is expected to secure that nomination. No internal Democrat Senate leadership election date has been set. There are some progressives and Democratic Socialists of America-affiliated Democrats who will be House Members next year who want someone other than Minority Leader Jeffries keep his position. Who do they want instead? Well, no one has said. Again, you can’t beat someone with no one. And frankly,…